EL panel, and illumination device and display device using the same

ABSTRACT

An EL panel including: a light-transmissive substrate; an EL element including a light-emitting medium layer interposed between a cathode and an anode, the EL element being provided on one surface of the light-transmissive substrate; and a protection sheet on the other surface of the light-transmissive substrate of the EL element. The protection sheet has a surface opposite to the light-transmissive substrate, the shape of the surface includes rounded convex shapes and prism shapes. Each of the rounded shapes has an apex that is a center point of a cross-section farthest from a bottom surface where the cross-section is parallel to the bottom surface of the unit convex shape and the area becomes smaller in a direction from the bottom surface of the rounded convex shape to a top portion thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 13/262,100,filed Sep. 29, 2011, now pending, which is the U.S. National PhaseApplication under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No.PCT/JP2010/055164 filed Mar. 25, 2010, which designated the UnitedStates and was published in a language other than English, which claimsthe benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-085371, filed Mar.31, 2009, both of them are incorporated by reference herein. TheInternational Application was published in Japanese on Oct. 7, 2010 asWO2010/113738 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an EL panel (electroluminescent device)used in illumination devices, decorative illuminations, light sourcesfor signs, and the like, and a display device using the EL panel.

Background Art

Generally, an EL element has a structure in which a hole injectionlayer, a hole transport layer, an interlayer layer, a light-emittinglayer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer areinterposed between an anode and a cathode on a light-transmissivesubstrate.

An exciton is formed by applying a DC voltage to the anode and thecathode of the above-described structure, and then by injectingelectrons and holes to the light-emitting layer for re-coupling, andlight is emitted by discharging light when the exciton is indeactivation.

Conventionally, when a light beam exiting from a light-emitting layerhas been emitted from a light-transmissive substrate of thelight-emitting face side in such an EL element, part of the light beamhas been totally reflected on the surface of the light-transmissivesubstrate of an observance side, and accordingly, a problem has occurredin that the amount of light to be extracted to the outside is lost.

It is believed that the light extraction efficiency of this case isgenerally approximately 20%.

For this reason, there is a problem in that as the demand for display orillumination with high luminance becomes greater, it is necessary toincrease the amount of input power.

In addition, in this case, since a large amount of current flows in thedevice, a burden on the device increases, resulting in a reduction inluminance and shortened product life, and thereby the reliability of thedevice deteriorates.

Thus, for the purpose of enhancing the light extraction efficiency oflight exiting from an EL element, an EL panel has been proposed whichextracts light rays, which would be totally reflected by the surface ofthe light-transmissive substrate and become light loss, to the outsideby forming fine unevenness on the surface of an observer side of thelight-transmissive substrate of the light-emitting face side.

In order to enhance the light extraction efficiency as described above,for example, a micro-lens array 24 can be used, in which a plurality ofmicro-lens elements are arranged in a flat manner on one surface of alight-transmissive substrate 20 proposed in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication, First Publication No. 2002-260845, as shown in FIG. 17.

However, when the above-described micro-lens array 24 is used in an ELelement, when a heat transfer body such as a finger is in contact withthe micro-lens array 24, the EL element becomes dark at the contactpoint, whereby irregular luminance is shown in a bright area and a darkarea in the in-plane of the EL element.

Since the area contacted by the heat transfer body continues to be darkfor approximately several minutes to dozens of minutes, a shadow ofillumination such as a standing light or a wall-mounted illumination isgenerated, which hinders practical observation of a light-illuminatedobject.

In the above-described conventional technique, when a heat transfer bodysuch as a finger or the like is in contact with the surface of the ELelement, heat on the contact part of the EL element is lost, changingthe light emission efficiency of the EL element, whereby the partbecomes dark.

Accordingly, there are a part where the finger is in contact with (darkpart) and a part where the finger does not contact (bright part), andirregularity of luminance occurs in the in-plane of the EL element.

Particularly, in the case of an illumination device, it is easy for afinger or the like to contact the device, in terms of a practicalaspect, whereby irregularity of luminance also easily occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention was made in view of the above-described situation, and hasan object to provide an EL panel and an EL illumination device whichdoes not have irregularity of luminance in the in-plane of the ELelement by providing a protection sheet for suppressing heat transfer onthe outermost surface of the EL element.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention provides means asdescribed below.

That is, the invention of claim 1 is an EL panel which includes: alight-transmissive substrate; an EL element including a light-emittingmedium layer interposed between a cathode and an anode, the EL elementbeing provided on one surface of the light-transmissive substrate; and aprotection sheet on the other surface of the light-transmissivesubstrate of the EL element. The protection sheet has a surface oppositeto the light-transmissive substrate, the shape of the surface includesrounded convex shapes and prism shapes. The shapes has an apex that is acenter point of a cross-section farthest from a bottom surface where thecross-section is parallel to the bottom surface of the unit convex shapeand the area becomes smaller in a direction from the bottom surface ofthe rounded convex shape to a top portion thereof. Where the height ofthe apex is represented as Tc, the distance between the apexes ofadjacent rounded convex portions is represented as Bc, and the height ofthe prism shape is represented as Tp, the following formula issatisfied.2(Tc−Tp)≦Bc≦10(Tc−Tp)  (Equation 1)

The invention of claim 2 is the EL panel according to claim 1, in whichthe prism-shaped areas of the protection sheet are periodicallyarranged.

The invention of claim 3 is the EL panel according to claim 1 or 2, inwhich the rounded convex-shaped areas of the protection sheet arearranged at random.

The invention of claim 4 is the EL panel according to any one of claims1 to 3, in which the thickness of the protection sheet is 50 μm to 500μm.

The invention of claim 5 is the EL panel according to any one of claims1 to 4, in which the thermal conductivity of the protection sheet is0.08 W/(m·K) to 0.5 W/(m·K).

The invention of claim 6 is the EL panel according to any one of claims1 to 5, in which the protection sheet is formed of any of a methacrylresin, a styrene resin, an ethylene resin, a polycarbonate resin, and apolyethylene terephthalate resin, or a copolymer formed of a combinationof any of them.

The invention of claim 7 is an illumination device in which the EL panelaccording to any one of claims 1 to 6 is used.

The invention of claim 8 is a display device in which the EL panelaccording to any one of claims 1 to 6 is used.

Effects of the Invention

The invention was made in view of the above-described situation, and canprovide an EL element and an EL illumination device in whichirregularity of luminance does not easily occur in the in-plane of theEL element, by providing a protection sheet having rounded convex shapesand prism shapes on the outermost surface of an EL panel to suppressheat transfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of an EL panel according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a case where a heat transfer body is in contactwith an EL panel according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a case where a heat transfer body is in contactwith the outermost surface of an example of a protection sheet.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a case where a heat transfer body is in contactwith the outermost surface of an example of the protection sheet.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a case where a heat transfer body is in contactwith the outermost surface of a protection sheet according to theembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a case where a heat transfer body is in contactwith the outermost surface of another example of the protection sheet.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a case where a heat transfer body is in contactwith the outermost surface of another example of the protection sheet.

FIG. 8 is a view obtained by observing a protection sheet with a lasermicroscope.

FIG. 9 is a view showing examples of a prism shape according to theembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view showing examples of rounded convex shapes according tothe embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing examples of arrangement of roundedconvex-shaped areas according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing examples of arrangement of roundedconvex-shaped areas according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view showing examples of the shape of rounded convexportions according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view showing prism shapes according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a configuration of alight-emitting medium layer.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the height of rounded convex shapes, thearrangement of the rounded shapes in an area, and evaluation resultswhen the height of the prism shape is changed in the protection sheetaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of a conventional micro-lenselement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described withreference to drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of an EL panel 100 according tothe embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the EL panel 100 of the present invention is formedwith a light-emitting medium layer 2 which is interposed with an anode 3and a cathode 4 between a light-transmissive substrate 1A and asubstrate 1B.

Next, the EL panel 100 of the invention is configured such that aprotection sheet 7 is provided on the side of a light-emitting face ofan EL element 9, that is, on an output face G of the opposite side ofthe surface where the anode 3 of a transparent substrate 1B is stackedvia a sticking-adhesive layer 6.

Herein, the EL element 9 is a device possessing a function of emittinglight, and the light-emitting medium layer 2 outputs light by applying avoltage to the anode 3 and the cathode 4.

The output light passes through the anode 3 (b1), further passes throughthe transparent substrate 1A (b2), passes through the sticking-adhesivelayer 6 (b3), and then is incident to an incidence face M of theprotection sheet 7.

Next, the light incident from the incidence face M of the protectionsheet 7 passes through the protection sheet 7 (b4), and converges andscatters in a rounded convex-shaped area 5 c and a prism-shaped area 5 pon the outermost surface F20 of the protection sheet 7 to be output(b5).

In addition, part of the light is reflected on the outermost surface F20of the protection sheet 7 (h6).

Furthermore, the rounded convex-shaped area 5 c and the prism-shapedarea 5 p contributes to a reduction in the above-described reflectedlight (h6) on the outermost surface F20 of the protection sheet 7.

In addition, a large amount of heat is generated on the light-emittingmedium layer 2 because approximately 25% of electric energy inputthereto turns into light and the remaining 75% thereof turns into heat.

The heat generated in the light-emitting medium layer 2 is transmittedthrough the anode 3 (h1), the light-transmissive substrate 1A (h2), andthe sticking-adhesive layer 6 (h3), and to the incidence face M of theprotection sheet 7.

Next, the heat transmitted to the incidence face M of the protectionsheet 7 is transmitted to the outermost surface F20 of the protectionsheet 7 (h4).

Furthermore, the heat transmitted to the outermost surface F20 of theprotection sheet 7 turns into heat transmitted to the outside of the ELpanel 100 (h5).

Next, heat transmission when a heat transfer body Ht such as a finger orthe like is in contact with the outermost surface F20 of the protectionsheet 7 will be described using FIG. 2.

When the heat transfer body Ht such as a finger or the like is incontact with the outermost surface F20, the heat transmitted to theinside of the protection sheet 7 (h4) is transferred to the surface F10of the above-described heat transfer body from the outermost surface F20of the protection sheet 7, and then to the inside of the heat transferbody Ht (h54).

Since the light emission efficiency in an area Rt of the EL panel 100where heat is transferred decreases as heat of the light-emitting mediumlayer 2 is lost and accordingly the temperature of the light-emittingmedium layer 2 is lowered, light exiting from the light-emitting mediumlayer 2 (b1) decreases, and as a result, light (b5) exiting from the ELpanel 100 is reduced.

In an area Rc where heat is not transferred, since the light emissionefficiency of the light-emitting medium layer 2 does not decrease, thesame amount of light (b5) as in the case where the heat transfer body Htdoes not contact the outermost surface is output.

For this reason, irregularity of luminance occurs in the in-plane of theEL panel 100 when the heat transfer body Ht such as a finger or the likeis in contact with the EL panel 100.

Herein, the amount of heat transferred from the outermost surface F20 ofthe protection sheet 7 to the surface F10 of the heat transfer bodydepends on the configuration of the outermost surface F20 of theprotection sheet 7.

In the case where the outermost surface F20 of the protection sheet 7has only the rounded convex-shaped areas 5 c as shown in FIG. 3, sincean area F22 on the outermost surface F20 of the protection sheet 7 whichcomes into contact with the surface F10 of the heat transfer body iswide, heat is transferred thereto with ease.

In addition, in the case where the outermost surface F20 of theprotection sheet 7 has only the prism-shaped areas 5 p as shown in FIG.4, since the area F22 on the outermost surface F20 of the protectionsheet 7 which comes into contact with the surface F10 of the heattransfer body is wide, heat is transferred thereto with ease.

On the other hand, when there are the rounded convex-shaped areas 5 cand the prism-shaped areas 5 p on the outermost surface F20 of theprotection sheet 7 as shown in FIG. 6, the area F22 on the outermostsurface F20 of the protection sheet 7 which comes into contact with thesurface F10 of the heat transfer body becomes narrow.

For this reason, heat is less easily transferred in the above case thanin the case of single units of the prism-shaped area 5 p and the roundedconvex-shaped area 5 c, and therefore, it is difficult for irregularityof luminance to occur in the in-plane of the EL panel 100.

When the height of the above-described rounded convex-shaped area isrepresented as Tc and the height of the above-described prism-shapedarea is represented as Tp, an interval Bc between which theabove-described rounded convex-shaped areas 5 c are arranged ispreferably higher than or equal to 2(Tc−Tp) and lower than or equal to10(Tc−Tp).

If the interval Bc between which the above-described roundedconvex-shaped areas 5 c are arranged is narrower than 2(Tc−Tp) as shownin FIG. 6, the surface F22 which comes into contact with the surface F10of the heat transfer body becomes wide, causing easy transfer of heat,whereby irregularity of luminance easily occurs.

On the other hand, if the interval Bc between which the above-describedrounded convex-shaped areas 5 c are arranged is wider than 10(Tc-Tp) asshown in FIG. 7, an area Rt in which the surface F10 of the heattransfer body comes into contact with the prism-shaped area 5 p is made,causing easy transfer of heat, whereby irregularity of luminance easilyoccurs.

The configuration of the outermost surface F20 of the protection sheet 7is obtained by three-dimensional shape measurement with a lasermicroscope.

FIG. 8 is the three-dimensional shape of the protection sheet 7 obtainedby measurement.

Next, based on the obtained three-dimensional configuration, a boundaryB0 of the rounded convex-shaped area 5 c and the prism-shaped area 5 pis obtained.

The surface which is close to the base of the prism-shaped area 5 p isrepresented as a bottom surface F0 of the outermost surface F20, theinner part of the boundary B0 is represented as a bottom surface F1 ofthe rounded convex-shaped area 5 c, and the outer part of the boundaryB0 is represented as a bottom surface F2 of the prism-shaped area 5 p.

(Step 1)

Next, a point Ct which is the farthest point from the bottom surface F1is represented as the apex Ct of the rounded convex-shaped area 5 c, andthe height Tc of the rounded convex-shaped area 5 c is simply obtainedfrom the distance to the bottom surface F1.

Furthermore, the height Tp of the prism-shaped area 5 p is obtained fromthe distance to the bottom surface F2 of the prism-shaped area 5 p.

In addition, a distance Bc between apexes Ct of adjacent roundedconvex-shaped areas 5 c is obtained, and calculation is performed as towhether or not (Equation 1) is satisfied.

(Step 2)

It is determined whether or not the above-described outermost surfaceF20 has an area satisfying the condition in the above-described Steps 1and 2.2(Tc−Tp)≦Bc≦10(Tc−Tp)  (Equation 1)

As the prism-shaped area 5 p, the top portion Pt of the prism-shapedarea 5 p can have a rounded shape as shown in FIG. 9 (a), an asymmetricshape as shown in FIG. 9 (b), or a curved shape as shown in FIG. 9 (c).

As the rounded convex-shaped area 5 c, the top with a multi-stage curveas shown in FIG. 10 (a) can be used.

In such a case, a contact area can be further reduced by making thecurved part of the upper stage smaller than the curved part of the lowerstage, as shown in FIG. 10 (a).

In the case of a curved face having unevenness as shown in FIG. 10 (b),since the recessed portion is not brought into contact with a heattransfer body, a contact area can also be reduced.

In a case of such an area being constituted by a curved line and astraight line as shown in FIG. 10 (c), a contact area with the heattransfer body can be reduced in the same manner as the straight-linedportion in a trapezoidal shape in the lower part narrows down the curvedarea of the upper portion.

In addition, it is possible to have such areas having shapes withdifferent heights as shown in FIG. 10 (d).

In such a case, if a contacting pressure is small, the heat transferbody comes into contact only with a higher convex portion, andtherefore, a contact area can be reduced.

If the rounded convex-shaped area 5 c includes convex portions withdifferent sizes as shown in FIG. 10 (d), an average value of adjacentrounded convex-shaped areas 5 c can be used for the height Tc thereof.

Next, the arrangement of the rounded convex-shaped area 5 c ispreferably the arrangement introduced below.

The rounded convex-shaped areas 5 c may be arranged, for example,periodically as shown in FIG. 11 (a), or at random as shown in FIG. 11(n).

In the case where the rounded convex-shaped areas 5 c are arranged atrandom, it is preferable in that moiré fringes should not be generated.

In addition, when the above-described EL panel 100 is used to be appliedto illumination, the rounded convex-shaped areas 5 c can be arranged inthe form of a logo as shown in FIG. 12 (a), a mark as shown in FIG. 12(b), a pattern as shown in FIG. 12 (c) or the like according to thedensity thereof in order to add a design factor.

Furthermore, the above-described rounded convex-shaped areas 5 c are notnecessarily arranged in a single shape, and may be arranged in differentshapes as shown in FIG. 13 (a) to (d).

In addition, the prism-shaped areas 5 p are preferably arranged as shownbelow.

The areas can be arranged in a shape extending to one direction as shownin FIG. 14 (a), or can be arranged in a shape extending in twodirections as shown in FIG. 14 (b).

It is possible to arrange the prism-shaped areas 5 p without a space byperiodically arranging the prism-shaped areas 5 p.

Furthermore, the thickness of the protection sheet 7 is preferablythicker than or equal to 50 μm, and thinner than or equal to 500 μm.

If it is thinner than 50 μm, heat of the light-emitting medium layer 2is easily transferred to the heat transfer body Ht, whereby irregularityof luminance easily occurs.

If it is thicker than 500 μm, heat is insufficiently released, andtherefore, sufficient current does not flow to the light-emitting mediumlayer 2.

Therefore, satisfactory luminance as illumination cannot be obtained.

Next, as a forming material of the above-described protection sheet 7,PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), COP (cycloolefin polymer), an acrylonitrile styrenecopolymer, an acrylonitrile polystyrene copolymer, anacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, a melamine resin, athiourethane resin, an episulfide resin, or the like can be used.

Thermal conductivity (W/(m·K)) is 0.3 to 0.4 for melamine resin,approximately 0.2 for polycarbonate resin, 0.2 to 0.29 for acrylonitrilestyrene copolymer, 0.2 to 0.29 for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenecopolymer, 0.25 to 0.34 for polyethylene resin, approximately 0.21 formethacrylate resin, and 0.08 to 0.12 for styrene resin, which arepreferable as it is difficult to transfer heat with a lower thermalconductivity than 0.55 to 0.75 of soda glass.

In addition, a base material layer 10 may be included, or it ispreferable to use a resin with low brittleness as the base materiallayer 10.

As a material, (a-) PET, polycarbonate, (poly)urethane resin, epoxy,resin, (poly)ethylene resin, acrylic resin, acrylonitrile (poly)styreneresin, ABS resin, or the like can be exemplified.

The rounded convex-shaped areas 5 c and the prism-shaped areas 5 p canbe formed by pressing such a resin into a mold with a line speed of 1m/min to 30 m/min.

If the speed is lower than 1 m/min, acryl resin reacts with oxygen ormoisture in the air before being pressed into the mold, and therefore,molding is not performed well, but if the speed is higher than 30 m/min,mixing of air bubbles occurs.

Furthermore, a protection sheet can be obtained by irradiating withultraviolet rays of 500 mJ/m² to 3000 mJ/m² for curing.

In regard to such acryl resin, mono-functional acryl resin andmulti-functional acryl resin are mixed in a timely manner, whereby asurface reinforcing performance of the surface and a light extractioneffect can be compatible.

The protection sheet 7 can be produced by performing embossing for aresin film.

The forming rate of 70% or higher is good at this time, and ispreferably higher than or equal to 85%, which is a level at which adifference in optical characteristics rarely occurs in most cases.

The pressure condition of embossing at this time is 5 to 500 kg/cm ofgeneral linear pressure, preferably 5 to 300 kg/cm, and more preferably10 to 150 kg/cm.

When the linear pressure is smaller than 5 kg/cm, the forming rate isless than 70%, which is insufficient to form irregular configurations.

When the linear pressure is greater than 10 kg/cm, an 85% or higherforming rate is obtained, which is more preferable.

In the case of linear pressure of 500 kg/cm, a load onto a machine isexcessive, which is not practical.

In addition, if linear pressure is lower than or equal to 300 kg/cm,load onto a machine is not excessive even if the width of a film exceeds1 m.

If linear pressure is 150 kg/cm, a forming rate of 99% to 100% isobtained, and therefore, the forming rate cannot be raised any more.

In addition, an EL element is used in various environments, and use ofthe device in a place where the device is exposed to a large amount ofultraviolet rays, for example, outdoor use or the like can beconsidered.

In such a case, deterioration loss occurs by irradiating the inside ofthe EL element with ultraviolet rays.

For this reason, irradiation of the inside of the EL element withultraviolet rays from outside can be suppressed and deterioration losscan be alleviated by incorporating an ultraviolet ray absorbing materialinside the protection sheet 7, in a sticking-adhesive material, or in adiffuser panel.

Next, respective constituent elements of the EL panel 100 other than theprotection sheet 7 will be described.

The substrate 1B is formed of glass, metal, resin, or the like in aplate shape.

Next, the cathode 3 is formed on the surface of the light-emittingmedium layer 2 side of the substrate 1B.

The cathode 3 is a layer possessing electric conductivity, and applies avoltage onto the light-emitting layer 2.

The cathode 3 is configured to use deposition of aluminum on thesubstrate 1A formed of aluminum or the like.

In addition, a material possessing electric conductivity is not limitedto aluminum as described above, and various kinds of metal includinggold, silver, copper, or the like, or carbon possessing conductivity canalso be used.

Furthermore, the transparent substrate 1A has a function of transmittinglight emitted from the light-emitting layer 2.

For a material of the light-transmissive substrate 1A, various kinds ofglass materials can be used as an inorganic material.

As an organic material, a plastic material such as PMMA, polycarbonate,polystyrene, or the like can also be used.

A material which is particularly preferable here is a cycloolefin-basedpolymer, and this polymer material is appropriate in that a resin hasexcellent characteristics of workability, heat resistance, waterresistance, optical translucency, and the like.

In addition, it is preferable to form the light-transmissive substrate1A with a material possessing the transmittance to whole light of 50% orhigher in order to transmit light from the light-emitting layer 2 asmuch as possible.

Next, the anode 4 is formed on the surface in the side of thelight-emitting medium layer 2 of the transparent substrate 1B.

The anode 4 is a layer possessing electric conductivity, and applies avoltage to the light-emitting layer 2.

The anode 4 is configured to use deposition of a transparent conductorsuch as ITO, ZnO, or the like.

Next, the sticking-adhesive layer 6 is formed in the side of the outputface G of the transparent substrate 1A, and fixes the protection sheet 7to the transparent substrate 1B.

Herein, as a sticking-adhesive agent constituting the sticking-adhesivelayer 6, for example, acryl-based, urethane-based, rubber-based, andsilicone-based sticking-adhesive agents are adopted.

Since any material has to be used inside a backlight unit at a hightemperature, it is preferable to use a material possessing a storageelastic modulus G′ at 100° C. higher than or equal to 1.0E+04 (Pa).

In addition, in order to output light with uniform intensity,transparent fine particles, for example, beads, may be mixed into thesticking-adhesive layer 6.

Furthermore, as the sticking-adhesive agent, a double-sided tape may beused.

Furthermore, the light-emitting medium layer 2 is preferably configuredto include a hole transport layer 2 h and a light-emitting layer 2 l asshown in FIG. 15.

Furthermore, the above-described light-emitting medium layer 2 may beprovided with an electron injection layer (not shown in the drawing), anelectron blocking layer (not shown in the drawing), and a layerfunctioning as an electron transport layer (not shown in the drawing)depending on necessity.

A layer which is laminated between the anode 3 and the light-emittinglayer 2 l is a hole injection layer (not shown in the drawing), theelectron blocking layer (not shown in the drawing), and a hole transportlayer 2 h. A layer which is formed between the light-emitting layer 2 land the cathode 4 is a hole block layer (not shown in the drawing), theelectron injection layer (not shown in the drawing), and the electrontransport layer (not shown in the drawing).

The layers may be multi-layered layers, or one layer may have functionsof two or more layers.

The electron injection layer, the electron blocking layer, and theelectron transport layer can appropriately select the laminating methodin accordance with each of materials thereof as to be described below,but it is possible to obtain the EL element 9 which is furtherstabilized with excellent thermal stability and tolerance, particularlyby selecting an inorganic material.

As a hole transport material composing the hole transport layer 2 h, apolyaniline derivative, a polythiophene derivative, a polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) derivative, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), orthe like can be exemplified, but the present invention is not limitedthereto.

Such a material is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, and can becollectively coated using a spin coating method, an extrusion coatingmethod, or a dip coating method.

In addition, a uniform line pattern without a defect in film formationcan be obtained at a pixel pitch by using the letterpress printingmethod.

In addition, when an inorganic material is used as a hole transportmaterial, an oxide, a nitride, an oxynitride of chromium (Cr), tungsten(W), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo),titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y),manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), ruthenium (Ru), osmium (Os), cobalt (Co),nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), or the like can beformed as an inorganic material using the vacuum deposition method.

In this case, collective formation or a line pattern can be obtained byusing an arbitrary shadow mask.

By providing a hole transport layer composed of an inorganic substance,it is possible to obtain the EL element 9 which is further stabilizedwith excellent thermal stability and tolerance.

In addition, an interlayer (not shown in the drawing) possessingfunctions of hole injection and electron blocking can be formed as ahole transport layer between the anode 3 and the light-emitting layerafter formation thereof.

As a material to be used in the interlayer, polymers including aromaticamines such as polyvinyl carbazole or a derivative thereof, apolyarylene derivative having an aromatic amine in a side chain or themain chain, an arylamine derivative, a triphenyldiamine derivative, orthe like can be exemplified, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The material of the interlayer is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent,and the formation is performed using various coating methods using aspin coater or the like, a letterpress printing method, a gravureprinting method, a screen printing method, or the like.

In addition, when an inorganic material is used as the material of theinterlayer, an oxide, a nitride, an oxynitride of chromium (Cr),tungsten (W), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum(Mo), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), scandium (Sc),yttrium (Y), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), ruthenium (Ru), osmium (Os),cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), or thelike can be formed as an inorganic material using the vacuum depositionmethod.

In this case, collective formation or a line pattern can be obtained byusing an arbitrary shadow mask.

By providing an interlayer composed of an inorganic substance, it ispossible to obtain the EL element 9 which is further stabilized withexcellent thermal stability and tolerance.

The light-emitting layer 2 l may serve as a white light-emitting layeror a single color light-emitting layer such as blue, red, yellow, green,or the like.

Herein, when a white light-emitting layer is used as the light-emittingmedium layer 2, the composition of anode 3/light-emitting medium layer2/cathode 4 may be configured to be, for example, ITO/CuPc (copperphthalocyanine)/α-NPD doped with 1% of rubrene/dinacuthylanthracenedoped with 1% of perylene/Alq3/lithium fluoride/Al as the cathode 4.

The light-emitting layer 2 l is formed after the formation of theinterlayer.

The light-emitting layer 2 l is a layer emitting light by runningcurrent thereinto, and as an organic light-emitting material for formingthe light-emitting layer 2 l, for example, a substance obtained bydispersing a light-emitting pigment such as coumarin-based,perylene-based, pyran-based, anthrone-based, porphyrin-based,quinacridone-based, N,N′-dialkyl substitution quinacridone-based,naphthalimide-based, N,N′-diaryl substitution pyrrolopyrrole-based,iridium complex-based pigment or the like, into polymeric molecules suchas polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl carbazole, or thelike, or a polymeric material such as a polyarylene-based, aployarylenevinylene-based, or a polyfluorene-based material can beexemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

These organic light-emitting materials are dissolved or stably dispersedin a solvent to become an organic light-emitting ink.

As a solvent into which such an organic light-emitting material isdissolved or dispersed, a single or a mixed solvent of toluene, xylene,acetone, anisole, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone,cyclohexanone, and the like can be exemplified.

Among these, aromatic organic solvents such as toluene, xylene, andanisole are preferable in terms of solubility of an organiclight-emitting material.

In addition, a surfactant, an antioxidant, a viscosity modifier, anultraviolet absorber, and the like may be added to an organiclight-emitting ink as needed.

In addition to the above-described polymeric material, a smallmolecule-based light-emitting material can be used, such as a9,10-diarylanthracene derivative, pyrene, coronene, perylene, rubrene,1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutadiene, a tris(8-quinolate)aluminum complex, atris(4-methyl-8-quinolate)aluminum complex, a bis(8-quinolate) zinccomplex, a tris(4-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-8-quinolate)aluminum complex,a tris(4-methyl-5-cyano-8-quinolate)aluminum complex, abis(2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-8-quinolate)[4-(4-cyanophenyl)phenolate]aluminum complex, abis(2-methyl-5-cyano-8-quinolinato) [4-(4-cyanophenyl)phenolate]aluminumcomplex, a tris(8-quinolinato) scandium complex, abis[8-(paratosyl)aminoquinoline]zinc complex and cadmium complex,1,2,3,4-tetraphenyl cyclopentadiene, poly-2,5-diheptyl oxyparaphenylenevinylene, or the like.

As a method of forming the light-emitting medium layer 2, a known filmforming method can be used, such as a dry coating method including thevacuum deposition method, the CVD method, or the like, a wet coatingmethod including the ink jet printing method, the letterpress printingmethod, the gravure printing method, the screen printing method, or thelike according to materials.

(Production Method of Protection Sheet)

Next, an example of a production method of the protection sheet 7 willbe described.

EXAMPLE 1

A UV-curable resin of which the main ingredient is urethane acrylate forforming a pattern of the protection sheet 7 was applied ontobiaxially-oriented and easily-adhesive PET film for optical purposes(film thickness of 125 μm), and the UV-curable resin was cured byexposing the PET film to ultraviolet rays while transporting the filmapplied with the UV-curable resin into a cylinder mold that was cut inthe shape of the protection sheet 7.

By separating the mold from the PET film after the curing, theprotection sheet 7 having the prism-shaped area 5 p and the roundedconvex-shaped area 5 c with the diameter of 140 μm was produced.

EXAMPLE 2

Polycarbonate resin, which is thermoplastic resin, was heated at atemperature of approximately 300° C. to form a film with the thicknessof 0.3 mm while stretching the film along a roll. Then, the heated filmwas cooled down while applying pressure thereto, using the cylinder moldin a concave shape of which the cylinder part was used for performing anetching process for the rounded convex-shaped area 5 c and for cuttingthe prism-shaped area 5 p by a cutting tool (the temperature of thecylinder mold was 120° C.), and then, a film molded with a convex-shapedarea 5 c was obtained.

Accordingly, a protection sheet 7 having a unit convex portion 5 with adiameter of 50 μm could be produced.

EXAMPLE 3

Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 of FIG. 16 show evaluation results when the heightTc of the rounded convex shape, the interval Bc between which therounded convex-shaped areas were arranged, and the height Tp of theprism shape was changed.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the condition satisfying (Equation 1), there isno finger mark, and therefore, irregularity of luminance does not occur.

On the other hand, in the condition not satisfying (Equation 1), thereis a finger mark, and therefore, irregularity of luminance occurs.2(Tc−Tp)≦Bc≦10(Tc−Tp)  (Equation 1)

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be used in an EL panel (electroluminescentdevice) used in illumination devices, decorative illuminations, lightsources for signs, and the like, and a display device using the ELpanel.

What is claimed is:
 1. An EL panel comprising: a light-transmissivesubstrate; an EL element comprising a light-emitting medium layerinterposed between a cathode and an anode, the EL element being providedon a first surface of the light-transmissive substrate; and a protectionsheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the firstsurface, the protection sheet being provided on a second surface of thelight-transmissive substrate, the first surface of the protection sheetbeing opposite to the second surface of the light-transmissivesubstrate, wherein the EL panel does not include a layer that directlycontacts with the second surface of the protection sheet, a plurality ofrounded convex portions are provided on the second surface of theprotection sheet to form at least one of a logo, a mark, and a patternaccording to the density of the convex portions, each of the roundedconvex portions being arranged at random and having an intervaltherebetween, each of the rounded convex portions having an unevensurface, a plurality of prism portions are periodically provided on thesecond surface of the protection sheet to extend to one direction or twodirections, each of the convex portions has an apex that is a centerpoint of a cross-section farthest from a bottom surface where thecross-section is parallel to the bottom surface of the convex portionand the area becomes smaller in a direction from the bottom surface to atop portion thereof, and where the height of the apex is represented asTc, the distance between the apexes of adjacent convex portions isrepresented as Bc, and the height of the prism portion is represented asTp, the following formula is satisfied2(Tc−Tp)≦Bc≦10(Tc−Tp).
 2. The EL panel according to claim 1, wherein athickness of the protection sheet is 50 μm to 500 μm.
 3. The EL panelaccording to claim 1, wherein a thermal conductivity of the protectionsheet is 0.08 W/(m·K) to 0.5 W/(m·K).
 4. The EL panel according to claim1, wherein the protection sheet is formed of any of a methacryl resin, astyrene resin, an ethylene resin, a polycarbonate resin, and apolyethylene terephthalate resin, or a copolymer formed of a combinationof any of them.
 5. An illumination device in which the EL panelaccording to claim 1 is used.
 6. A display device in which the EL panelaccording to claim 1 is used.
 7. The EL panel according to claim 1,further comprising a sticking-adhesive layer that is formed between thesecond surface of the light-transmissive substrate and the protectionsheet and that fixes the protection sheet to the light-transmissivesubstrate.
 8. An EL panel comprising: a light-transmissive substrate; anEL element comprising a light-emitting medium layer interposed between acathode and an anode, the EL element being provided on a first surfaceof the light-transmissive substrate; and a protection sheet having afirst surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, theprotection sheet being provided on a second surface of thelight-transmissive substrate, the first surface of the protection sheetbeing opposite to the second surface of the light-transmissivesubstrate, such that the second surface of the protection sheet forms anoutermost layer of the EL panel and is not in direct contact with anyother layers, wherein a plurality of rounded convex portions areprovided on the second surface of the protection sheet to form at leastone of a logo, a mark, and a pattern according to the density of theconvex portions, each of the rounded convex portions being arranged atrandom and having an interval therebetween, each of the rounded convexportions having an uneven surface, a plurality of prism portions areperiodically provided on the second surface of the protection sheet toextend to one direction or two directions, each of the convex portionshas an apex that is a center point of a cross-section farthest from abottom surface where the cross-section is parallel to the bottom surfaceof the convex portion and the area becomes smaller in a direction fromthe bottom surface to a top portion thereof, and where the height of theapex is represented as Tc, the distance between the apexes of adjacentconvex portions is represented as Bc, and the height of the prismportion is represented as Tp, the following formula is satisfied2(Tc−Tp)≦Bc≦10(Tc−Tp).